Trace Element·Vitamins & Minerals

Zinc sulfate

Zinc deficiency, severe burns, massive pressure ulcers, Wilson's disease

MINERALZincapsCapsules/TabletsUNSCHEDULEDTGA

No source link confirmed for this record yet. Its own source notes are under Additional.

At a glance

Max Dose

220 mg/day

Caution: Copper Defic.

CHRONIC RISK

Caution: Nausea

SEVERE (EMPTY STOMACH)

Wound Healing

INDICATED

Cautions

Avoid / Cautions

NONE — In acute deficiency. Essential nutrient.

Where it stands

Rapid Summary

Overview

Essential trace element required for over 300 metalloenzymes, DNA synthesis, and immune function. Critical for severe wound healing.

Clinical Focus

Long-term high-dose zinc severely blocks Copper absorption, causing irreversible neurological damage from copper deficiency.

Bottom Line

Zinc sulfate is used for zinc deficiency, wound healing support, and acute diarrhoea in children, but causes significant nausea on an empty stomach and copper deficiency with chronic use.

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Zincaps

Oral Routes

Capsules/Tablets. Effervescent tablets.

Prescribing & PBS

Over The Counter (OTC).

Indications & Use

Primary

TGA

Zinc deficiency, severe burns, massive pressure ulcers, Wilson's disease.

Clinical Place

Routinely added to the drug chart of ICU or geriatric patients with massive, non-healing bedsores to fuel collagen synthesis.

Quick reference

Class & Role

Trace Element — Essential trace element required for over 300 metalloenzymes, DNA synthesis, and immune function.

Route / Formulation

Capsules/Tablets. Effervescent tablets. (Zincaps)

Usual Dose & Max

PO 220 mg (50 mg elemental) OD or BD. Take with food to prevent severe nausea. Max 220 mg/day (equivalent to 50 mg elemental zinc).

Key Indication Doses

Zinc Deficiency / Wound Healing: PO 220 mg (50 mg elemental) OD or BD. Take with food to prevent severe nausea. Wilson's Disease (Maintenance): PO 50 mg elemental TDS (Acts to block copper absorption).

Best Uses

Zinc sulfate is used for zinc deficiency, wound healing support, and acute diarrhoea in children, but causes significant nausea on an empty stomach and copper deficiency with chronic use.

Key Risks

Gastrointestinal: Intense nausea, vomiting, metallic taste (almost guaranteed if taken on an empty stomach). Neurological: Copper deficiency myeloneuropathy (mimics B12 deficiency paralysis) if used chronically at high doses.

Key Interactions

Binds and destroys the absorption of Tetracyclines (Doxycycline) and Fluoroquinolones (Ciprofloxacin). Separate by 4 hours.

Monitoring

If keeping a patient on Zinc for > 3 months, you MUST check Serum Copper levels to prevent irreversible neuropathy.

Clinical Pearl

Zinc and Iron compete for the exact same transporter in the gut. If you give a patient Zincaps and Ferro-gradumet at the same time, neither will absorb properly. Take them at different times of the day.

Access

ZincapsCapsules/Tablets

Brand: Zincaps
Formulation: Capsules/Tablets. Effervescent tablets.

From this page

No calculator, monitoring schedule or factsheet is linked to this medicine page yet.

Trace Element·Vitamins & Minerals

Zinc sulfate

Zinc deficiency, severe burns, massive pressure ulcers, Wilson's disease

MINERALZincapsCapsules/TabletsUNSCHEDULEDTGA

No source link confirmed for this record yet. Its own source notes are under Additional.

At a glance

Max Dose

220 mg/day

Caution: Copper Defic.

CHRONIC RISK

Caution: Nausea

SEVERE (EMPTY STOMACH)

Wound Healing

INDICATED

Cautions

Avoid / Cautions

NONE — In acute deficiency. Essential nutrient.

Where it stands

Rapid Summary

Overview

Essential trace element required for over 300 metalloenzymes, DNA synthesis, and immune function. Critical for severe wound healing.

Clinical Focus

Long-term high-dose zinc severely blocks Copper absorption, causing irreversible neurological damage from copper deficiency.

Bottom Line

Zinc sulfate is used for zinc deficiency, wound healing support, and acute diarrhoea in children, but causes significant nausea on an empty stomach and copper deficiency with chronic use.

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Zincaps

Oral Routes

Capsules/Tablets. Effervescent tablets.

Prescribing & PBS

Over The Counter (OTC).

Indications & Use

Primary

TGA

Zinc deficiency, severe burns, massive pressure ulcers, Wilson's disease.

Clinical Place

Routinely added to the drug chart of ICU or geriatric patients with massive, non-healing bedsores to fuel collagen synthesis.

Quick reference

Class & Role

Trace Element — Essential trace element required for over 300 metalloenzymes, DNA synthesis, and immune function.

Route / Formulation

Capsules/Tablets. Effervescent tablets. (Zincaps)

Usual Dose & Max

PO 220 mg (50 mg elemental) OD or BD. Take with food to prevent severe nausea. Max 220 mg/day (equivalent to 50 mg elemental zinc).

Key Indication Doses

Best Uses

Zinc sulfate is used for zinc deficiency, wound healing support, and acute diarrhoea in children, but causes significant nausea on an empty stomach and copper deficiency with chronic use.

Key Risks

Key Interactions

Binds and destroys the absorption of Tetracyclines (Doxycycline) and Fluoroquinolones (Ciprofloxacin). Separate by 4 hours.

Monitoring

If keeping a patient on Zinc for > 3 months, you MUST check Serum Copper levels to prevent irreversible neuropathy.

Clinical Pearl

Access

ZincapsCapsules/Tablets

Brand: Zincaps
Formulation: Capsules/Tablets. Effervescent tablets.

From this page

No calculator, monitoring schedule or factsheet is linked to this medicine page yet.